There is so much to like about the 2014 Alaska Senate race, starting with the fact that there is a competitive race there at all.

In 2008, Mark Begich became the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Alaska since 1974. Without that upset victory over an incumbent Republican senator — who was convicted on corruption charges, which would later be thrown out, a week before the election — it’s highly unlikely Democrats would be competing in this solidly Republican state.

Since entering the Senate, Begich, a former Anchorage mayor, has struck an independent pitch and continues to highlight his focus on Alaska issues, even when they swim upstream from the administration’s priorities. Whether that’s enough to withstand ties to an unpopular president will rely in part on the quality of opponent the GOP nominates from three contenders in the Aug. 19 primary.

Unlike most other Republican Senate primaries, this one isn’t ideological — at least not between the top two contenders. But with eight months to go, it's also wide open.

Editor's note: Not all congressional races are created equal, and Roll Call's politics desk admits to playing favorites. So in the spirit of the holidays, these are a few of our favorite things (races) to cover this cycle. We're shining a spotlight on our 12 most fascinating races through the new year — in no particular order. Happy holidays from @RollCallPols!